If your cat no longer appears interested in
playing with her favorite mouse toy for hours on end, there may
be a good reason—osteoarthritis. A chronic, degenerative joint
disease that makes movement difficult and painful, osteoarthritis
mainly strikes pets in their middle and senior years. However,
younger animals can also be affected. In fact, studies show that
approximately 20% of dogs have the condition in some form and,
even though they are less prone, cats can also suffer from it.
It can be heartbreaking
to see your once lively, always active best friend begin to limp,
or notice his or her obvious pain when moving around. There is
no cure for osteoarthritis. However, if it is treated promptly,
there is a great deal that you and your veterinarian can do to
decrease your pet’s discomfort and increase his or her mobility.
Early warning signs of osteoarthritis:
- Difficulty in walking, climbing stairs, or getting in and
out of the litter box
- An overall decrease in activity, especially play
- Resting more than usual
- Slowness in getting up from a lying position
- Failing to groom themselves or eating less, with a resulting
loss of weight
- Slow or stiff movements upon waking, after a rest, or in
cold weather
- Beginning to limp
- Swollen joint(s) that is warm to the touch
- Licking or biting at a joint
- Personality change—your pet no longer likes to be touched
- If you notice any of the signs above, don’t just think that
your pet is “slowing down with age.” Take him or her to see
your vet! The faster osteoarthritis is first diagnosed and treated,
the better your pet’s quality of life will be.
What causes osteoarthritis?
There
are many causes, but practically all can be grouped into
two main categories:
- Abnormal stress on normal joints
-
An injury that damages a joint
-
“Wear and tear”: joints are subjected to repeated loads
or stress
-
Obesity: an excessive load is put on joints
- Normal stress on abnormal joints
-
Developmental defects that alter the shape or stability
of a joint
-
Poor limb conformation: bow legs or knock knees can cause
an uneven load on a joint
Whatever
the specific cause, stress on a joint can begin a destructive
cycle of inflammation of the joint area and damage to the
cartilage that leads to pain for your pet.
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How is osteoarthritis treated?
Treatment includes three
main components, each equally important.
- Weight control Cats that suffer
from chronic pain caused by conditions like osteoarthritis often
become inactive, which can result in obesity. Controlling your
pet’s weight will lighten the load on arthritic joints and make
it less difficult to move around. Just as for humans, weight
loss for animals involves both a well-balanced, calorie-reduced
diet and regular exercise. Ask your veterinarian for advice
on the proper diet for your cat.
- Exercise is essential because it contributes
to strengthening the muscles that support joints. Daily, moderate
amounts of low-impact exercise also improves joint mobility and
can help get a lethargic, arthritic pet active again. Cats can
profit from play that keeps them moving without excessive jumping.
Consult your
veterinarian about what amount and type of exercise would be
best for your pet. Also, be aware that your cat’s osteoarthritic
pain may be more severe at certain times than others. If this
is the case, let your pet take a break from his or her exercise
routine for a few days, until the painful flare-up subsides.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs combat inflammation
in the joints, thus relieving pain, increasing mobility, and
protecting the joint from further damage. As joint pain may vary
according to the amount of exercise, the weather or season, or
for other, unknown factors, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-
inflammatory medication such as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) as treatment. Newer NSAID drugs are proving to be especially
effective in reducing inflammation and pain to improve mobility
without the significant side effects - including gastrointestinal
problems - previously associated with NSAID use. Ask your veterinarian
for more information.
In addition to the above,
your veterinarian may also suggest physical therapy, cold or hot
packs and baths, massage or acupuncture as well as glucosamine
and chondroitin to help control pain. In extreme cases surgery
may also be indicated.
What’s the outlook for a pet with osteoarthritis?
 Osteoarthritis
may progress very slowly (over several years) or very quickly (you
might notice a major change in just a few weeks or months). It
all depends on your pet’s age, his or her activity level, the joints
involved and the underlying cause. Some pets’ pain and loss of
mobility can be kept to a minimum for long periods of time with
a simple regimen of weight control, moderate, regular exercise
and the occasional use of anti-inflammatory drugs if flare-ups
occur. For others, severe damage to the joints may occur rapidly
and require long-term medication and other therapy. In either case,
your veterinarian can determine the best course of treatment for
your pet’s particular condition. There is no reason why, with your
loving attention and committed care, as well as your veterinarian’s
guidance, your osteoarthritic pet cannot have a happy, healthy
and comfortable life for many years to come.
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For
your cat pet to enjoy time with you, she must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!